Do you find it difficult to wear contact lenses? Maybe doctors have told you that you have hard-to-fit eyes. Several conditions can make it uncomfortable to wear contact lenses. Before you give up on contacts altogether, you should find out if you can benefit from specialty contact lenses.
It is necessary to understand that you have options when it comes to wearing contact lenses. Visiting an eye specialist will help you benefit from wearing contacts.
Hard to Fit Eyes
Several conditions can make eyes “hard to fit.” The conditions include astigmatism, keratoconus, dry eyes, presbyopia, giant papillary conjunctivitis, and post-refractive surgery.
If you have any of the conditions, wearing regular contacts can be difficult. Fortunately, you can get specialty contact lenses that will suit your vision needs. Eye specialists use advanced equipment to measure the cornea to achieve the best lens fit.
Specialty Lenses for Keratoconus
If you suffer from keratoconus, seeing clearly with glasses can be difficult. Getting contact lenses that are made for your condition can help. The specialty lenses are for people with irregular corneas.
The contacts help improve vision by altering the irregular cornea shape into a uniform, smooth surface. This allows light to create a sharp focus on the eye retina. Several lenses can help correct problems caused by keratoconus.
Scleral Contact Lenses
The bulging corneal surface that results from keratoconus can make it impossible to wear regular contact lenses. The conventional lenses are prone to dislodging from the eye every time the wearer blinks. When this happens, a contact lens specialist can prescribe larger diameter lenses known as scleral contact lenses.
The lenses rest on the white of the eye, vaulting over the irregular cornea without exerting pressure on the corneal tissue. The lenses provide a stable fit as they are larger and more comfortable than regular contacts.
Good Candidates for Specialty Lenses
Some people are good candidates for specialty contact lenses. People with astigmatism can benefit from the lenses. Toric contact lenses are ideal for people with vision problems. People who have dry eye conditions are also good candidates for the lenses.
Soft contacts help people with dry eyes, and they can also help treat mild keratoconus. People with giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) are good candidates for special custom lenses. People who have had LASIK surgery can also be good candidates for the lenses.
Cost of Specialty Contact Lenses
When you visit an eye care specialist for specialty contact lenses, you should expect to spend more. If you have hard-to-fit eyes, you will pay extra for custom contacts. More time and expertise will go into designing the specialty lenses.
The lenses are more advanced than regular contacts, and the fitting fee can be a few hundred dollars. The fitting cost does not include the cost of the lenses. In some cases, vision or health insurance can cover some costs when the lenses are a medical necessity.
To find out if you are a good candidate for specialty contact lenses, visit Advanced Eyecare Center PC at our office in Urbandale, Iowa. You can call 515-303-4488 today to schedule an appointment.